Representing the 9th District of Florida

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WASHINGTON – Central Florida Representatives Stephanie Murphy, Val Demings and Darren Soto, today announced that the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has awarded a nearly $12 million grant to the Florida Department of Transportation, MetroPlan Orlando, and the University of Central Florida to jointly develop “intelligent transportation technologies” that will be used to make transportation safer and more accessible for drivers, transit riders, pedestrians, and bicyclists in the Orlando area. This grant is intended to help central Florida ease traffic congestion and promote traffic safety.

Murphy, Demings and Soto sent a letter to the Trump administration in March 2017, calling for new federal investments in the U.S. transportation infrastructure system. In that letter, they noted that “the greater Orlando metropolitan area is home to numerous high-profile destinations, venues and institutions, and therefore requires a world-class transportation infrastructure network to support the safe and efficient movement of residents and visitors.”

“Orlando is one of the fasting-growing cities in the country, and it’s critical that our transportation system keep pace,” said Murphy. “This grant will help make Orlando’s roads safer and less congested, and give residents a wider range of transportation options. I’ll continue working in Congress to promote safety and accessibility for drivers, rail and bus riders, and bicyclists and pedestrians.”

“As one of the most visited areas, Central Florida will benefit immensely from this federal funding,” said Demings. “This grant will help residents and our 68 million annual visitors get from place to place quicker, faster, safer and with less fuel usage and air pollution.”

“This is great news for Central Florida! We all know firsthand the problems of traffic congestion and lack of cyclist safety in the Orlando area,” said Soto. “For far too long, Central Florida has ranked at or near the top of the Pedestrian Danger Index by National Complete Streets Coalition as being dangerous for pedestrians. This federal grant will greatly assist in making our streets safer for pedestrians by enhancing and modernizing our transportation infrastructure. Investing in a safer and more accessible transportation system will immensely benefit the people who live, work, and travel throughout our community.”